Captain Michelle Carney (right) and Emma Cobb tune up for their clash with Northern.
NSW WPL
The Illawarra Stingrays plan to run the Northern Tigers off their feet in tomorrow's NSW Women's Premier League battle at JJ Kelly Park.
Northern were promoted to the Premier League in the off-season and will be keen to catch last year's grand finalists by surprise.
Stingrays coach Steve Srbinovski wants his side to rely on speed and skill to overcome the Tigers.
"We want early goals if we can and we want to play up-tempo," Srbinovski said.
"We're going to have an attacking game. We want to take the game to them and see if they can handle us, whether they can hold us out."
Srbinovski rejected suggestions the Stingrays might take their opponents for granted.
"We don't underestimate anyone, regardless if they're promoted or not," he said.
"You basically take everyone with a grain of salt in the first round. In the second round you have a better idea of what every team can do and who they've got."
The Stingrays won three straight premierships before narrowly missing a fourth last year.
A number of senior players left the club in the off-season, opening the door for several young prospects to make their mark.
"Some of our younger players are really shaping up well and maturing quickly, so we're looking forward to seeing them perform," Srbinovski said.
"A lot of it is because of the good guidance by [captain] Michelle Carney. She's great for the young players, just in the way she talks and leads by example on and off the field.
"The younger players are probably a bit nervous but that's a good thing. They can turn those nerves into energy and rip in.
"The attitudes are good and the team's jelling well."
Kick-off is at 3pm.
STINGRAYS HOME GAMES AT JJ KELLY PARK
KICK-OFF 3PM
March 24 v Northern Tigers
April 21 v Manly
May 5 v Blacktown
May 19 v Central Coast
June 2 v North West Sydney
June 23 v Sutherland
June 30 v Inter Lions
July 14 v Marconi
July 28 v Sydney University
August 8 v Macarthur
August 25 v Northbridge